Erin Grogan of Love Sew Modern turned her lifelong love of sewing into a full-time career as a quilt pattern designer and educator. With a style inspired by retro finds and a passion for creating quilts that feel both fresh and nostalgic, Erin shares her journey, creative process, and what keeps her motivated as a maker.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I started sewing when I was in the 4th grade with my grandmother. She was a professional seamstress, working in a garment factory in Boston. She wanted her three daughters to grow up to become something more than a factory seamstress so she refused to teach them to sew.
As a child I was fascinated by my grandmother’s ability to create anything. I begged her to teach me and she eventually gave in.
After having my second child in 2016, I discovered quilting. I slowly stopped sewing clothes and started spending all my free time making quilts.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
In January of 2020, I quit my corporate job to focus full-time on becoming a quilt pattern designer and educator. Before leaving my job, I saved up to purchase a computer, DSLR camera, and Bonnie Christine’s Immersion course to learn how to use Adobe design software. By April of 2020, I had designed and released my first pattern, Diamond Skies.
When did you first realize you are a creative person?
Since I was a small child I always considered myself a creative person and an artist. I attended a visual and performing arts high school and then received an arts scholarship for college.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
When I’m looking for inspiration for a new design, I like to explore retro antique shops. I pull design inspiration from art, housewares, and decor from the 1960s – 1970s.
Is your work more content-driven or process-driven? Does an idea inspire a work of art, or do the materials launch an idea?
My design process can work both ways.
Sometimes a new collection of fabric sparks a nostalgic memory for me that I’m inspired to recreate in my designs.
Other times I find a unique retro treasure in a thrift shop and feel inspired by its color palette, or shape, and want to recreate it in fabric.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I feel so lucky to have my home studio space. In August of 2020, we moved and while unpacking my husband said, “I want you to prepare yourself, and not be too disappointed that the dining room might be empty for a year or two before we can get a proper table. Maybe you could put your sewing stuff in there for now.”
Five years later, and I’ve completely taken over the formal dining room. We never did get that table, but I feel like I have the fanciest sewing room in the world since it has a chandelier from the previous owner.
One wall I’ve covered in art pieces from local artists, fabric designers, and retro handmade pieces. I have shelves filled with retro antiques and sewing notions. The room has white walls, but is filled with color.
What are the indispensable tools and materials in your studio? How do they improve your work?
Over the last few years I’ve been upgrading all of my rulers to Quilters Select Rulers. I feel like this has improved my cutting accuracy and made for an easier cutting experience.
I love that they stay in place and don’t shift while I’m using them. I’ve also started to prefer a 28mm rotary cutter. I feel like I have more control over the tool, and the smaller blade makes it easier to cut curves, which is my favorite thing to sew.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I save so many scraps and have bins filled with them, but I rarely make a scrap quilt.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
I have at least 10 UFOs organized in acrylic bins. Since I started quilting as my career I have less time for project that are just for fun. Those projects tend to get pushed aside to accommodate deadlines, so I have a growing stack of UFOs.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
I love listening to podcasts while I’m working.
The hardest part about working for myself is that I’m always working alone. Having a podcast going makes me feel like I’m part of a conversation. I love quilting podcasts like Quilter on Fire, true crime such as Morbid, and historical ones like Who Did What Now.
Do you use a sketchbook, journal, or technology to plan or keep track of ideas? How does that help your work develop?
I always start my designs by sketching them with pencil in a dotted notebook. I then refine my designs in Adobe Illustrator. I have a folder on my computer desktop filled with potential future designs.
I like the portability of starting ideas in a notebook and being able to look back and see the evolution of my ideas.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
My goal is to create a new idea each quarter, but sometimes I get really excited about a new idea and have to run with it.
This can mean I have multiple projects in development at a time. Because of this, some ideas still only live on my computer, or turn into quilts without patterns.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
When Ruby Star re-released their Starry fabric collection I immediately wanted to make something with it.
I started creating a project using another designer’s pattern and I wasn’t liking the result, but while playing with the fabric, I was reminded of a memory as a kid. I used to love the Tootsie Roll lollipops. It was said that if you got a wrapper with a star on it, it was good luck. This inspired me to create my Sweet POP pattern, which looks like Tootsie Roll Lollipops.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
My favorite part of the design process is watching a design unfold in fabric.
It’s fun to create a design on the computer, but it’s so rewarding to see all of the math and concepts be successful.
The most challenging part is quilting the sample quilt. I don’t love the quilting process, and I feel so much pressure to make a beautiful cover quilt. Pushing myself through this step is typically what slows down a pattern release for me.
How has your work evolved over the years? Is there a common thread (pun intended!) across the years?
When I first started designing quilt patterns my style was more modern-traditional. I used a lot of common quilt blocks to create block based designs.
Now my work is more illustrative and isn’t always block-based. I enjoy incorporating curved piecing now.
When I first started designing, I was creating quilts I thought others would want to make. I now design quilts that I want to make, and it turns out that others want to make them too.
Do you prefer the kind of project that is challenging and requires attention, or the kind where you get in your meditative zone and enjoy the process?
I love a project that challenges me with a new skill, but I always look for opportunities for chain piecing. Once I get into a groove, even with a new challenge, I shift into auto pilot and enjoy the process.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
Changing my mindset from designing for others to designing for myself changed quilting for me.
I’m always excited to be working on one of my projects because I’m making it for myself. I also grant myself breaks. At least once a year, I will go on a sewing retreat, and I don’t allow myself to bring work with me. Whatever I’m sewing has to be for fun.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Becoming a successful pattern designer doesn’t happen overnight. It’s easy to look at the designers I admire and wish I could be as successful as I perceive them to be, but they were once in my shoes too. 2020 Erin would be so impressed with 2025 Erin.
Don’t compare yourself to others. Keep focused, and you will keep reaching your goals and accomplishing your dreams.
Where can people see your work?
My work can be found on Instagram at @LoveSewModern and on my website LoveSewModern.com
Interview posted August 2025
Browse through more inspiring modern quilts on Create Whimsy.